Award-winning kids/family music band, The Hipwaders, apply their "Hip Music for Kids" approach to Christmas. Christmas music has traditionally been "family music" and The Hipwaders carry on this tradition with their songs celebrating all aspects of Christmas with a special appreciation for Santa Claus. Some say The Hipwaders "exploit" Santa - but that's for you to decide...Merry Christmas and CRANK IT UP!

Let's face it, from an adult perspective, the problem with most Children's music is that it sounds like Children's music. Even if young kids really love listening to Raffi or Barney, I, for one, can only take that sort of thing in small doses. Which is why this 2009 album from The Hipwaders is so terrific. The songs on "A Kindie Christmas" are original and the arrangements are kid friendly...but adult friendly, too. "A Kindie Christmas" is a Pop-Rock confection treat. These Hipwaders are, indeed, hip.

The Hipwaders keep it upbeat, simple and fun, throughout, as they weave their way through a diverse musical palette. Want something a little funky? Try "It's Wintertime". Country? Take a ride on "Santa's Train". "Goodnight" has an almost Beatlesque sound to it. I hear a little REM in "Yes, It's Christmas". And "Tinsel & Lights" is an outstanding pop song, any way you slice it. The album closes with the latin flavored "Christmas Vicuna", which is not my personal favorite but, admittedly, I seem to be in the minority on that.

The album flows beautifully. Kids tend to have a shorter attention span than even their parents, so keeping the tempos and sounds changing is a key to holding them. The Hipwaders do this brilliantly. But Moms and Dads are likely to find their toes a-tapping, too.

Every song on "A Kindie Christmas" is original and fresh. Every song is well crafted and executed. It's just a fun CD, from start to finish. If Christmas is a time to reconnect with the joy and wonder of our childhoods, "A Kindie Christmas" would make an excellent soundtrack. And because The Hipwaders music manages to find the kid that's in each and every one of us, you don't need to have kids of your own to enjoy it.

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